Learn How to Pronounce cactus
Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!
Find your word:
Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!
How to pronounce:
cactus
Definition:
(nou) any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈkæktəs
Examples:
Scorpions and cactus live in desert.
One of the most beautiful of the cactus flowers.
The Garden featured cactus and succulents from high deserts of the Americas.
Learn more about:cactus
Related Words:
How to perfect your pronunciation of: cactus
Learn Individual Sounds
Break cactus down into individual sounds such as ˈkæktəs. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
Copy Others
Use the tools above to find out how different people say cactus in their accents, then try to repeat after them.
Pick an Accent
Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.
Record Yourself
Say cactus in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with cactus.
Get a Native Tutor
Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.
Common mistakes of cactus pronunciation
- Vowel confusion: Some learners pronounce "cactus" as /ˈkæktəs/ instead of /ˈkæk.təs/. This can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Focus on the two syllables, ensuring the "a" is pronounced as in "cat."
- Stress misplacement: Incorrectly stressing the second syllable, saying "cactus" as /kækˈtəs/, is common. This changes the word's rhythm. Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈkæk.təs/.
- Silent letters: Some may mistakenly think there is a silent letter in "cactus," pronouncing it as /ˈkæktəs/. This is not accurate. Tip: Always pronounce both "c" and "t" clearly in "cactus."
- Syllable omission: Omitting the second syllable and saying "cactus" as /ˈkæks/ is a frequent error. This can make the word unrecognizable. Tip: Practice saying both syllables distinctly: "cac-tus."
- Incorrect vowel sound: Pronouncing the "u" in "cactus" as /juː/ instead of /ə/ is a common mistake. This changes the word significantly. Tip: Ensure the "u" is a schwa sound, as in "sofa."